Q. We've received a brief that asks us to conduct an email survey with secondary school children (aged 11 to 17) on a range of health related topics.  The children we would be surveying have taken part in a range of activities put on by the client.  Their parents have consented both to their children taking part in the activities and providing their personal email addresses to our client for follow up contact.

Do I still need to get consent from parents to conduct an online study and, if so, should this be in writing?

A. Rule 6 of the Code of Professional Behaviour says:

The researcher must take special care when interviewing children and young people. The informed consent of the parent or responsible adult must first be obtained for interviews with children.

Children are defined as being aged under 14 and young people from 14 to 17, so for children, informed consent is a must. However, given the subject matter is health related and health is considered ‘sensitive' under the Privacy Act (and hence the Market and Social Research Privacy Principles), you should gain explicit consent from all parents in this case.
Neither the Code of Professional Behaviour nor the Privacy Act stipulate the form in which explicit consent must be recorded.

Thought starter

• If this study becomes a longitudinal study, should parents give consent for their children to participate every time the study is repeated?
• If parents have already consented to their children participating in these activities and to follow up contact, haven't they already consented to research by default?

Jayne Van Souwe is the convenor of the National Ethics Committee. To ask an ethical question contact Jayne on 03 9621 1066 or JayneVS@wallisgroup.com.au
Please note: Action should not be taken solely on the information given in this column. Legal or professional advice should be sought to ensure no misinterpretation occurs.

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